Snakes play an important ecological role but are often feared due to lack of understanding. The document discusses common snakes in Tanzania and Zanzibar, including venomous species like black mambas and puff adders. It provides identifying characteristics and habitats of these snakes, as well as safety advice such as giving snakes distance and seeking expert help for snake encounters at home. The goal is to educate people about living respectfully with snakes in the environment.

2. People’s fear of
snakes
Snakes are
misunderstood and
despised in many
cultures around the world – and Africa is
no exception.
Much of this fear arises from a
lack of knowledge and
understanding about these animals,
their value, and how to live with
them.

3. About snakes
- Snakes are usually killed or
collected for one of the Four F’s:
Fear, Food, Fun or Financial gain.
- Sadly, there are still many who indiscriminately kill
snakes out of fear and ignorance.
- More often than not, fatal snakebites occur when
people are trying to kill… or think they have killed… a
venomous snake.
- However, venomous snakes are
secretive carnivores who would much rather
be left alone.
- They will usually tend to bite as a last
resort when they feel cornered – a
defensive bite.

4. What to do if you see a
snake.
- If you find a snake when out walking give it a
wide berth and leave it alone! Remember
that it is probably as frightened
of you as you may be of it!
- If you find one at home, close
the door and seal the gap at the
bottom. Ask an adult to
come and help you. If possible call a
snake expert, who will catch and
relocate the snake for you.

5. More snake advice.
- Wear sensible clothing and shoes when
going bushwalking – long pants and boots
are much better than shorts and sandals!
- Watch where you’re going, where you sit,
and before you step over a log. Don’t be
paranoid, but be aware of your
environment… you will probably
enjoy your walks more as you will
see the small animals that you
otherwise miss!

6. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
Tanzania
Black Mamba
- Black Mambas are very poisonous to
people. Their bite can cause collapse
in humans within 45 minutes, or less.
Without effective antivenom, death
typically occurs in 7–15 hours.
- Black mamba is given its
name due to the inky black
colour inside its mouth.
- It is the longest (2 – 3 meters)
species of venomous snakes
in Africa.
- It’s also the fastest moving
snake in Africa 11KM/H.
- They live in rock, scrubland
and termite mounds.

7. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
Tanzania
Eastern Green Mamba
- They are very poisonous. They
can kill several people with one
bite. People bitten can develop
swelling of the entire bitten limb.
People can die in as little as 30
minutes.
-Adult females grow to be about 2.0 metres in total
length, while males are slightly smaller.
- Green Mambas live in trees and rarely come down
to the land.
- Due to its coloration, it is usually well camouflaged
in trees or bushes.
- This mamba preys primarily on adult birds, eggs and
rodents.

8. Snakes that live in Zanzibar
and Tanzania
Egyptian Cobra
- They are front-fanged snakes
and are quite venomous. The
venom is potent and the bite
of an adult specimen can be
rapidly fatal to a human if not
promptly treated.
-They live in many different habitats. They often
come in to peoples homes. They are attracted to
the human villages by chickens and rats that are
attracted by garbage.
- If threatened it can rear up some 18 to 24 inches
(45 to 60 cm) and at the same time spread a broad
hood, which may be more than five inches (12 cm)
across.

9. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
Tanzania
Puff Adder
- This species is responsible for
more snakebite fatalities than any
other African snake. This is due to
a combination of factors, including
its wide distribution, common
occurrence, large size, potent
venom that is produced in large
amounts, long fangs, their habit of
basking by footpaths and sitting
quietly when approached
-It is found in all habitats except true deserts, rain
forests, and (tropical) alpine habitats.
- Although mainly terrestrial, these snakes are
good swimmers and can also climb with ease;
often they are found basking in low bushes.

10. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
Tanzania
Rhombic Egg Eater
-It grows to a length of 20–35 inches (51–
89 cm), and has almost toothless jaws.
- They are not found in closed-canopy
forests nor in true deserts, but do
inhabitat most ecosystems between these
extremes.
-The rhombic egg eater is nocturnal.
Although mainly terrestrial, it is a good
climber and is known to scale rock
outcroppings and climb trees to raid birds'
nests.
-When disturbed, the snake inflates itself and
"hisses“.
- They eat only eggs, which they swallow whole.

11. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
TanzaniaGaboon viper
-It has the longest fangs, up to 2 inches (5 cm), and the highest
venom yield of any venomous snake.
- Bites from this species are very rare, due to their docile nature
and because their range is limited to rainforest areas.
-Due to their sluggishness and unwillingness to move even when
approached, people are often bitten after they accidentally
step on them, but even then in some cases they may not bite.
- However, when a bite
does occur, it should
always be considered a
serious medical
emergency. Even an
average bite from an
average-sized
specimen is potentially
fatal.

12. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
TanzaniaBoomslang
-The boomslang has highly potent venom,
which it delivers through large fangs
that are located in the back of the jaw.
- Because the venom is slow to act,
symptoms may not show until many
hours after the bite. While this gives
time for getting the antivenom, it also
may lead victims to think the bite is not
as bad as it is.
- Boomslangs live mainly in trees.
- They are reclusive (shy), and will flee (run) from
anything too large to eat.
- Their diet includes chameleons and lizards,
frogs, and small mammals, birds, and eggs from
nesting birds, all of which they swallow whole.

13. Snakes that live in Zanzibar and
Tanzania
Slender Blind Snake
-These snakes are diggers and are adapted
to burrowing, feeding on ants and termites.
- This is a small snake which rarely exceeds
30 cm in length.
- They occur in a wide variety of habitats
from arid (dry) areas to rainforest, and are
known to occur near ant and termite nests.
-Their diets consist mostly of termite or ant
larvae, pupae, and adults.
- They suck out the contents of insect bodies
and discard the exoskeleton (tough skin).

14. Amazing facts about snakes!!
Snakes are carnivores (meat eaters).
Snakes don’t have eyelids.
Snakes can’t bite food so have to swallow it whole.
Snakes have flexible jaws which allow them to eat prey
bigger than their head!
Snakes are found on every continent of the world
except Antarctica.
Snakes have internal ears but not external ones.
Snakes used in snake charming performances respond to
movement, not sound.
There are around 3000 different species of
snake.
Snakes have a unique anatomy which allows
them to swallow and digest large prey.
Snakes are covered in scales.

15. Snakeskin is smooth and dry.
Snakes shed their skin a number of times a year in a process
that usually lasts a few days.
Some species of snake, such as cobras and black mambas,
use venom to hunt and kill their prey.
Snakes smell with their tongue.
Pythons kill their prey by tightly wrapping around it and
suffocating it in a process called constriction.
Some sea snakes can breathe partially through their
skin, allowing for longer dives underwater.
Anacondas are large, non-venomous snakes found
in South America that can reach over 5 m in length.
Python reticulates can grow over 8.7 m (28 ft) in
length and are considered the longest snakes in the
world.
More Amazing facts about snakes!!

16. Remember to respect snakes and keep
your distance. They are beautiful and
intelligent but deadly creatures.